A small investment for better health

Article by Gillian Kingston, published in the Greyton Sentinel
- March 2009

Modern man’s attempts to alleviate the effects of illness and infirm old age have taken many different paths.

 The world has seen a resurgence in the ancient practice of Ayurveda, a word which, in translation, means “knowledge of life”.  It is a system for maintaining health and curing disease through adherence to natural rhythms and cycles and is non-religious.  It employs a variety of natural means to bring harmony to the body including diet, herbs, spices, minerals, exercise and massage and yoga.

The writer and medical doctor, Deepak Chopra, practices both Western and Ayurvedic medicine bringing together ancient wisdom and modern science, the two, he insists, being completely compatible.

Greyton has recently acquired the services of Dr Ramani Babu.  Growing up at the southern tip of India, she remembers as a child being interested in medicines.  Herbal remedies were always used at home.  She studied Ayurvedic medicine for six years at university, qualifying as an Ayurvedic physician, BAMS.

Working in tandem with Margit Gilliot of Nalanda Ayurvedic Centre, her approach is a holistic one.  Time is spent in finding out about all aspects of a person’s health.

Ayurveda, she emphasises, is an officially recognised medicine in South Africa. Dr Ramani says that she will not deal with critical emergency medicine or acute conditions where they would refer to Dr Jens Kargaard.

Ayurveda really makes a difference to those chronic diseases such as allergies, asthma, arthritis, carpel tunnel syndrome, migraine and skin problems. It can help with high cholesterol, hypertension, diabetes and stroke and those suffering from obesity, insomnia, depression and Alzheimer’s disease.  Using lifestyle and diet Dr Ramani provides supportive therapies for cancer and AIDS patients.

The process of treatment is a gradual one and the patient must be willing to implement diet and lifestyle changes.  It is no more costly than Western medicine and has no side effects.  Ayurveda can help to prevent further deterioration in illnesses such as Parkinson’s disease or muscular dystrophy, and is for those who want to take an alternative medical route.

Dr Ramani emphasises that Ayurveda is the perfect antidote to our modern way of life.  Massage forms an important part of treatment with both physical and psychological benefits.

Dr Ramani and Margit Gilliot work together at the Nalanda Ayurvedic Centre in Greyton.  She is available for consultation by appointment. The telephone number is 028 254 9027 and there is more information on the website,

www.nalanda.co.za

Already at home in Greyton, Dr Ramani is looking forward to meeting local people and has already been welcomed into the Christian Fellowship Church.

Welcome to Nalanda Ayurvedic Centre